​To the uninitiated, a cycling road race is a large cluster of indiscernible riders clattering along city and country roads towards a finish line. For cycling enthusiasts, it's a tactical game of chess coupled with team strategy and (most of the time) etiquette.

The Basics of Road Racing

​Learn to ride in a pack. Before getting into road racing it’s important to become used to drafting, maneuvering in a pack and dealing with the close proximity of other riders. Forget about strategy if you’re in your first road race, just try to reach the finish line while staying attached to the peloton without getting 'dropped'. If you're wondering, the Peloton is the main group or pack of riders.Be Predictable. Do your best not to change speed suddenly or move erratically. Try to ride foreseeable lines, especially if you’re new. Being responsible for your front wheel is a rule in cycling, much like not crashing into the person in front of you when driving a car. Erring on the side of caution and predicting what the rider in front will do can help cyclists avoid collision, instead of reacting rashly and causing a crash.

The Unspoken Etiquette of Competitive Road Cycling

​There are many rules in cycling, but some of the most important ones are the un-written laws that athletes follow in competitive races. Here are a few examples:

No overtaking when nature calls - One rider's toilet break is not the other riders' opportunity to step up their cycling pace, because at some point everyone needs to go...

No breakaways during refueling stops - When cyclists are replenishing their energy, trying to breakaway quickly and sneak off with the lead is not considered a respected competitive move.

Lastly, if you hide in the bunch, don't pull towards the finish line - Out of respect for fellow competitors, riders who stay in the middle of the peloton throughout the race and don’t take their turn pulling at the front should not be sprinting for finish honors.